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<head><title>TMap Designer Help - Thematic Map</title></head>
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<h2><a name="#top">An introduction to thematic maps</a></h2><br><br>

A thematic map is a way of visualizing statistical data with a geographical dimension. It provides information on a topic such as population, rainfall or geology. The data are regarded as attributes which are linked to the geographical entities in the map.<br>
A thematic map is composed of<br>
<ul>
    <li>A base map</li>
    <li>Some data</li>
    <li>Some annotations (labels, legend, etc...)</li>
    <li>A cartographic display</li>
</ul>
Here are some thematic maps samples:<br>&nbsp;<br>
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<tr>
	<td><img src="img/pointtn.png" border="0"><br>&nbsp;</td>
	<td><img src="img/chorotn.png" border="0"><br>&nbsp;</td>
	<td><img src="img/proptn.png" border="0"><br>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
</table>

TMap offers 4 types of cartographic displays:<br>
<ul>
    <li>Handle point data:
    	<ul><li><a href="point.htm">Coordinates-based symbol display</a></li></ul>
    </li>
    <li>Handle area data:
         <ul>
         <li><a href="choro.htm">Color / pattern (Choroplethic)</a></li>
         <li><a href="prop.htm">Proportional Symbols</a></li>
         <li><a href="random.htm">Random Dot Density</a></li>
         </ul>
    </li>
</ul>
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